Expected Man City starting line-up vs Everton as Laporte and Sterling start

Manchester City will be going in search of a third successive victory in all competitions when they welcome Everton to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

City, who have won their last eight meetings with the Toffees in all competitions, will welcome Rafael Benitez’s side to the Etihad aiming to build on their 2-0 triumph over cross-city rivals Manchester United prior to the international break.

Up against an Everton side who have been struggling of late, failing to win any of their last five matches, City are strong favourites to record a second consecutive Premier League victory, and remain hot on the heels of current table-toppers Chelsea, who could be six points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side by the time City take to the field on Sunday.

However, manager Guardiola is going to be forced into at least one change from the side that recorded such a comfortable victory at Old Trafford a fortnight ago.

That is because midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne has tested positive for Covid-19, meaning he will miss City’s next three matches, including Wednesday evening’s huge UEFA Champions League tussle against Paris Saint-Germain. Jack Grealish, too, will also miss out through injury.

Although one change is guaranteed, Phil Foden also faces a fight to be fit, with Guardiola, speaking on Friday, confirming that the England international took a knock to his leg whilst on international duty. However, he is, according to Guardiola, “getting better,” meaning he may have a chance of making the cut.

On the positive front, however, City have no issues to contend with as far as Brazilian players are concerned, unlike in the aftermath of recent international breaks, meaning Ederson is poised to line-up in goal, as he goes in search of his seventh Premier League clean sheet of the campaign.

Whilst three positions within the back-four are likely to pick themselves, with Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo all certain starters, Guardiola could face a tough decision in regards to who joins Dias at centre-back. Aymeric Laporte is available again following suspension, but John Stones did perform well in his absence against United.

However, considering Laporte has been a more regular fixture in Guardiola’s plans this term, the Frenchman may win this particular battle.

With De Bruyne ruled out, one change is guaranteed in midfield. Both Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri are highly likely to start, meaning they could be joined in the centre of the park by Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese ace was pushed forward into the false nine role against United, but could drop deep once again to combat De Bruyne’s absence.

How the front-three will look will all rest on whether or not Foden wins his fitness battle. If the Stockport-born ace does get the green light to be involved, he ought to start down the middle and be supported by Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling, with the latter replacing the injured Grealish.

If Foden is forced to miss out, Jesus may have to move across into the middle, making way for Riyad Mahrez to come in on the right.

However, whatever happens in regards to Foden’s availability, Guardiola has some tough decisions to make.

Predicted Manchester City line-up vs Everton (with Foden): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo; Gundogan, Rodri, Bernardo; Jesus, Foden, Sterling.

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